Bayliss, Thomas, and Co., Ltd.
The victorious Excelsior is bound to attract motorcyclists at the National, as Mr. T. Bayliss, jun.,can be relied upon to make every effort to improve these already excellent machines. Although to all outward appearance the 2h.p. bicycle is the same as those most of us have been familiar with during 1903, there are many details that call for special mention. In lieu of the make and break contact, the well-known Bassee-Michel wipe contact and trembler coil has been adopted. Last season an extra charge was made for spray carburetters, the surface being the standard pattern, but now, owing to the increased demand for the former type, either surface or Longuemare will be supplied to order.Another important point which will appeal to tourists and long-distance riders is the increased petrol capacity of the spare tank. This is now made so that a ride of T40 miles can be accomplished without replenishing. The coil and accumulator compartment have been considerably improved, and to obviate any chance of the coil or accumulator rattling or getting out of position, they are now enclosed in hinged straps, which pass through the base of the compartment, and are held secure by wing nuts. A new pattern tricycle, which we had the pleasure of examining last week, will be introduced. This is constructed on the lines of the Excelsior bicycle, with additional tubes running right to the axle of the rear wheel, and the steering, instead of connecting up to the bicycle front forks in the usual way, has a direct tube running from the steering socket of the bicycle to the end of the levers operating the front wheels. The front wheel steering sockets are raked forward at the same angle as this direct steering tube, which makes steering very steady, and takes off all drag at the road wheels.The front of the tricycle is so designed that a forecarriage body in wicker, cane, or wood can be added with very little trouble when so desired. In this case, a 3¼ h.p. engine is recommended, with water-cooled head. In addition to the above, a 3 h.p. and a 3¼ h.p. motor bicycle will be shown, and other minor improvements will appear on the show machines, which will be dealt with in our detail report of the shows, which will be published next week
The Motor Cycle November 18th, 1903. Page 803.
A DESCRIPTION OF THE MOTOR CYCLES.
Bayliss, Thomas, and Co., Ltd.
This well-known Coventry firm have on exhibition a large number of motor bicycles, Excelsior tricycles, and Trimos. With the exception of a few trifling modifications, the design of both the engine sand frames follows very much, on the lines of their 1903 pattern, the principal departure being the fact that, instead of fitting the M.M.C. engine as has been the case heretofore, this firm are now-making and fitting their own engines under a license from Messrs. De Dion-Bouton and Co. This being the case, all those who are familiar with the design of Messrs. De Dion and the M.M.C. engine will readily understand that the new engine is in all essential features the same as the 1903 pattern.
The bicycle frame is of the usual diamond type, very strongly reinforced, where it joins the steering-head by a girder-like arrangement of cross tubes, the engine being firmly attached to the front downtube at the cylinder head, and also at two points on the crank chamber by clips. The transmission is by V belt on the engine pulley to a driven pulley fixed on the rear wheel in the usual manner. The carburetters provided are either surface of the well-known Excelsior type or a Longuemare spray, either being fitted at the option of the purchaser. The ignition is provided by two Lithanode accumulators connected with a two-way switch, Bassee Michel trembler coil, and wipe contact of the same make.
One of the most interesting exhibits on the stand is a motor bicycle with forecarriage and a 4 h.p. water-cooled engine. The cooling arrangement (on the thermo-syphon system) is carried out as follows : An oblong water tank is fixed on supports rising from the Trimo frame just behind the forecarriage, with its ends projecting for some inches beyond the front seat of the latter on either side. In the centre of these projecting ends (opening in the direction in which the bicycle travels) are two saucer-shaped openings to catch the air. Leading from these openings are two tubes passing from end to end through the water of the tank, the exit for the air from one tube being thus directly underneath the intake of the other one. To assist the radiation of the heat from the water, fins or radiating ribs are fixed on the interior of the openings and also on the interior walls of the tubes.(Stand 122.)
The Motor Cycle November 25th, 1903. Page 844
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